Installer Blog

Appy days

The plumbing and heating industry is often inaccurately viewed as being stuck in its ways and behind the times – even though it deals with cutting-edge technology every single day.

As far as the public stereotype is concerned, a plumber is someone who turns up in a white van, sticks a pencil behind his ear and sharply intakes a breath every time he finds something wrong with a heating system.

The reality is thankfully very different. As technology becomes a bigger part of our social lives, it’s inevitable that it will also become a bigger part of our working lives. Smartphones are a great case in point – at the time of writing, nearly 40% of all visits to the Installer website in September were from mobile devices.

We are beginning to recognise that the ability to access information while on the move is invaluable in terms of making our everyday and working lives easier. The internet has largely done away with the need to carry around guides, manuals and brochures when carrying out servicing or installations.

Installer has reacted to the changing ways in which you are working by releasing a free iPhone App – ToolBox. ToolBox initially features four functions – torch, spirit level, unit convertor and job sheet – that have been designed to make life easier and jobs quicker. From providing extra light in a dingy airing cupboard to keeping an online record of all your current jobs and quotes, our free App will quickly become an essential tool.

The only thing that your iPhone can’t do is fit neatly behind your ear. At least there’s one reason to keep carrying a pencil.

About The Author

Mark McGettigan joined Installer magazine as News Editor in November 2009 and graduated to the role of Editor in late 2011. Mark also edits Installer’s sister publication – ECOInstaller.